S&W 25-2, 6”

[CRT2]

Received this as New In Box 25-2 last evening. Supposedly unfired except at the factory. To my discriminating eye it has not been fired.

Believe it was produced in 1980. Serial # N733XXX. Seemed different that the S&W tag was on the brown box and not the blue box. The brown box contained the revolver in a blue box and a presentation box.

Also, front of the barrel bluing looks different, there is a circle around the barrel. Almost looks like something was done to the barrel and then reblued.

Regardless, will enjoy shooting this 1955 series revolver.

 

[Hair Trigger]

Something doesn't appear correct; the gun looks like a M25-2, but these were produced between 1961 and 1974, but the SN you give falls within the 1980 production range. Open the cylinder and verify the SN stamped in the yoke cut, or remove the stocks (Carefully!) and look on the bottom of the butt frame. The stocks are 1968 or later, no diamond around the screw escutcheon, which would make them period correct for the gun unless it is an earlier half production dash-2. The dash-2 is supposed to be .45 Auto as well, what is that chambered for? I believe .45 Colt could be special ordered but few were chambered in that cartridge until the 125th Anniversary dash-3. My dash-5 is SN 824xxx, and is a late 1980 production. It says only .45 Colt on the right of the barrel.

 

[22hipower]

Not that I've seen all that many of the total packages as shipped from the factory but I think it is correct as you've described it. If the SN matches the labels I would think you're good. Certainly matches the way a M57 that I once looked at was packaged; should have spent the $1100 it was tagged at but didn't. Nice buy, I might have a tough time taking an NIB one to the range. Enjoy it.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[M29since14]

Looks OK to me. I can't recall much about it but I had a very late production 25-2 and from my admittedly questionable memory what I see there looks to be in order. It was normal for the descriptive label to be on the cardboard outer box, not the blue box inside that only contained the revolver. Unfortunately I sold the gun some time ago and don't have any records handy that I could refer to and get the serial number to compare with yours.

If the actual crown of your barrel is OK where it intersects the rifling, the cosmetic "abnormality" (let's not call it a defect ) shouldn't affect accuracy. I've always found 25-2s to be finicky in the accuracy department. For some reason, my 625s are much less so. That said, I am reasonably sure at least 80% of the 25-2 owners here will strongly disagree. Good luck with your new revolver!

 

[Drm50]

I've got a 83/8" non pinned, red ramp that is outstanding shooter. On other had I have a 6" Pinned and Patridge front that ain't nothing to write home about. That *** me because I like 6-6.5" guns. 25-2s ain't got a bad one yet. And that's one model I've never bought new.

 

[CRT2]

Something doesn't appear correct; the gun looks like a M25-2, but these were produced between 1961 and 1974, but the SN you give falls within the 1980 production range. Open the cylinder and verify the SN stamped in the yoke cut, or remove the stocks (Carefully!) and look on the bottom of the butt frame. The stocks are 1968 or later, no diamond around the screw escutcheon, which would make them period correct for the gun unless it is an earlier half production dash-2. The dash-2 is supposed to be .45 Auto as well, what is that chambered for? I believe .45 Colt could be special ordered but few were chambered in that cartridge until the 125th Anniversary dash-3. My dash-5 is SN 824xxx, and is a late 1980 production. It says only .45 Colt on the right of the barrel.

Serial number on grip frame and yoke match and the revolver is marked 25-2. It is 45 ACP.

 

[Pizza Bob]

Something doesn't appear correct; the gun looks like a M25-2, but these were produced between 1961 and 1974, but the SN you give falls within the 1980 production range.

Looking at the SWSC IV it appears that the 25-2 was made between 1961 and 1988. I personally have one that I purchased new in 1977 and the packaging as the OP describes is correct.

The engineering changes beyond 25-2 (i.e. 25-3, 25-4 and 25-5) are all .45 Colt (Long Colt for you non-purists) whereas the .45 ACP guns don't get updated until 1988 with the introduction of the 25-6.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

 

[ken158]

Everything looks good to me other than the label say 6" and the 25-2 is a 6 1/2".

 

[Pizza Bob]

Everything looks good to me other than the label say 6" and the 25-2 is a 6 1/2".

Changed to 6" ca 1979

 

[jc2721]

I have a 70's vintage 25-2, nearly mint condition with the display box and the cardboard shipper. The label for the gun is on the outside of the cardboard shipper, pretty much as you've pictured.

 

[Hair Trigger]

The engineering changes beyond 25-2 (i.e. 25-3, 25-4 and 25-5) are all .45 Colt (Long Colt for you non-purists) whereas the .45 ACP guns don't get updated until 1988 with the introduction of the 25-6.

That explains the dating, then. That concurrency between the .45 Auto and .45 Colt series numbers makes it somewhat confusing.

So, you could have a M25-2 in .45 Auto, and a M25-5 in .45 Colt, and the guns could be made the same year.

OP, your gun is beautiful, nice find.

 

[jcelect]

Presentation case?

CRT2, is your case the same as the one pictured? This type case and shipper was started in 1979-1985.

From your picture of the shipper end it appears to be a thinner shipper which would be the type case used from 1975-1978. Remember, S&W did not ship guns in serial number order and many times years apart!
jcelect

 

[CRT2]

CRT2, is your case the same as the one pictured? This type case and shipper was started in 1979-1985.

From your picture of the shipper end it appears to be a thinner shipper which would be the type case used from 1975-1978. Remember, S&W did not ship guns in serial number order and many times years apart!
jcelect

Believe it is just like your picture. Thank you.